Racial differences in the prevalence of oncogenic oral human papillomavirus infection types in the United States adult population

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) types according to race and to examine risk factors for oral HPV infection in United States adults. Methods: Using 2009-2014 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 13 981 subjects were examined. Prevalence of oral HPV and individual oncogenic HPV types were described according to race. Multivariable logistic and linear regressions were used to examine the risk factors for infection and coinfection. Results: Oncogenic and nononcogenic oral HPV infections were significantly more prevalent in black subjects. Infections with oral HPV types 16 and 51 were more prevalent in white subjects, whereas HPV types 35 and 58 were more prevalent in black subjects. Conclusion: We identified 4 oral HPV types that differ by race. Future research on HPV types (especially those that differ by race) may help elucidate their potential role in carcinogenesis and cancer disparities.